Six Nations calls for national strategy to combat racism

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OHSWEKEN - An inquiry is needed into the handling of the shooting death of Colten Boushie and the subsequent court case where a jury acquitted Saskatchewan farmer Gerald Stanley of second-degree murder, says Six Nations elected Chief Ava Hill.

Hill is also calling for a national strategy to address racism in Canada.

The chief and the elected council released a statement this week supporting the call for an inquiry in the wake of criticism over how the RCMP handled the case and how the jury was selected, with all potential jurors who were visibly Indigenous dismissed.

The trial heard that Boushie, a 22-year-old from Red Pheasant Nation in Saskatchewan, was shot in the head while he was sitting in an SUV that had been driven onto Stanley's farm near Biggar, Sask., in 2016.

The SUV driver testified the group had been drinking during the day and tried to break into a truck on a neighbouring farm, but went to the Stanley property to ask for help with a flat tire.

Stanley, 56, testified that he fired warning shots to scare the group off. He said the fatal shot occurred when he reached into the SUV to grab the keys out of the ignition and his gun "just went off."

Hill said that the makeup of the jury in the case demonstrates the need for an overhaul of the Canadian justice system.

"A promise had been made by the federal government to enhance and protect Indigenous rights," she said.

"It's disheartening to see that major changes are still needed to ensure than an area as critical as the justice system works for everyone, regardless of nationality."

She said that the outcome in the Boushie case also shows the need to develop a national strategy that address racism.

"After 150 years of colonization and the loss of our people's identity,culture, language and self-worth, it's time for change," she said.